Locking-clasp



Patented Dec. I3, I898.

N. S. EMERT. LOCKING CLASP. (Application filed Jan. 23, 1897.)

(No Model.)

THE NW1 rumouma. WASHINGTON; 0/ c.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NILS S. EMERT, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

LOCKING-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,826, dated December 13, 1898. Application filed January 23, 1897, Serial No. 620,304. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, NILS S. EMERT, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking-Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates-to improvements in locking-clasps for purses, pocket-books,handbooks, &c.

The object of the present invention is to provide for purses, pocket-books, and analogous receptacles a simple and inexpensive clasp capable of securely looking a purse or the like and adapted to be readily operated to lock and unlock the same without the use of a key.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pocketbook provided with a clasp constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view, the pocket-book being open to show the hook and the spring. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the frame, the parts being arranged as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a reverse plan view of the frame, showing the parts locked. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the same, the frame being shown open in dotted lines. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the central section of the frame, showing the inner face thereof and illustrating the arrangement of the segmental tumbler.

Like letters and numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In carrying out the invention I employ a suitable frame composed of three sections A, B, and O, hinged together at their terminals, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings. The section A, which is located at one side of the frame, is provided with a recess in which is secured a spring a, and the latter is curved to conform to the configuration of the frame and extends from the center to within a short distance of one end of the section A, being secured at its lower or outer end to the same at c, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings. The inner end of the spring, which is free, is movable and adapted to engage a hook I) of the section (3, whereby the pocket-book is held in its closed position and the free end of the spring is adapted to be operated by a button (1 to disengage it from the hook. The button 6!, which is arranged on the exterior of the section A of the frame, is connected with the spring by a shank which passes through a slot 2, extending vertically when the pocket-book is arranged in an upright position and adapted to permit the spring to be moved sufficiently to disengage it from the ment to enable it to be readily grasped in opening the pocket-book.

The central section B, which carries rotating buttons f, is provided with a substantially U-shaped piece or plate h, which serves to support the central section and brace the pocket-book, and which also provides for the attachment of a partition of the purse. The upper or outer edge of the plate or piece it is provided with a flange 2', arranged against the inner face of the section B and suitably secured to the same. A slot e is provided at the center of the plate or piece h to provide a passage for the hook and enable the same to extend across the frame.

Y The rotary buttons f, which are located on the exterior of the central section of the frame, are provided with shanks which extend through the said central section of the frame and carrysubstantially segmental tumblers The buttons enable the tumblers to be readily rotated, and their shanks are squared to receive the tumblers, which are retained on the squared ends of the shanks by screws 3' or other suitable fastening device. In case the buttons should rotate too freely the flange Q: may be used to cause friction by unfastening the screws and prying the flange against the tumblers and then tightening the screws.

In order to enable the operator to rotate the buttons intelligently and bring the straight edges of the tumblers in alinement, each button is provided with numbers and lines, and when a certain nu mberor line comes in proximity with a certain number or line on the other button the straight edges of the tumblers will aline with the spring. The buttons are designed to be constructed of such size and tension as will enable them to be readily operated by placing a finger upon them.

and project one or both over the spring in the space between the same and the rim or frame, thereby securely locking the pocketbook. To unlock the device, the buttons are rotated or turned to bring the tumblers in alinement with the spring, and the latter may then be readily lifted out of engagement with the hook to permit the sections of the frame to swing apart. For ordinary use, except when the pocket-book is to be disposed of, the buttons are not operated each time the pocket-book is closed, and said pocket-book may then be opened by simply raising the button (I. The combination can be readily changed by removing the tumblers and turning them from one to three quarters of a revolution.

On larger frames more than two buttons may be employed, the spring being extended, so as to operate in conjunction with all the buttons; and I desire it to be understood that changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

IVha-t I claim is- 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pocket-book oranalogous receptacle provided with a frame composed of hinged sections, a movable spring securedto the frame at one side thereof, a hook mounted on the opposite side of the frame and adapted to be engaged by the spring, whereby the pocketbook is held closed, a series of tumblers mounted on the frame and arranged to project between the same and the spring to prevent the latter from being lifted out of engagement with the hook, said tumblers being adapted to be brought in alinement with the spring for releasing the same, and means for operating the tumblers from the exterior of the pocket-book, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pocket-book or analogous receptacle provided with'a frame composed of three sections hinged together at their terminals, a spring mounted on the inner face of one of the side sections and having one end free, a hook mounted on the other side section and arranged to be engaged by the free end of the spring, graduated buttons arranged on the exterior of the central section, and the segmental tumblers arranged on the inner face of the central section, connected with and operated by the buttons and arranged to project over the spring, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pocket-book or analogous receptacle provided with a frame having central and side sections hinged together, the central section being provided with a plate or piece having a central opening, a spring mounted on one of the side sections, a hook mounted on the other side section and arranged to extend through the said opening for engaging the spring, the segmental tumblers arranged on the inner face of the central section and adapted to have their straight edges brought in alinement with the spring for releasing the same, and buttons arranged on the exterior of the frame and connected with the tumblers, substantiallyas described.

NILS S. EHERT. IVitnesses:

ANDREW J. CLARK, ALFRED WAH sTRoM. 

